The Circuit of Success Podcast with Brett Gilliland

John and two friends were walking over ice-covered Lake St. Louis when the trio fell through. One of the teens managed to swim back to shore while another clung to ice. By the time paramedics arrived, John had been submerged for more than 15 minutes. Crews attempted CPR for 15 minutes before doctors at SSM St. Joseph Hospital West continued the procedure for another 27 minutes, KSDK reported. During that time, he showed no signs of life. But just then, John’s mother, Joyce, entered the trauma room and started praying loudly, said Dr. Kent Sutterer. “Within a matter of a minute or two, his heart started again,” the doctor told KSDK.

The 5-foot-3 teen’s body temperature was 88 degrees, and doctors were still worried he could die within days if not hours. But not only did he survive — his brain functions returned to normal. “The only factors medically that were really in John’s favor is that this was a cold-water drowning,” Dr. Jeremy Garrett told the station. Still, doctors remain baffled that his brain function was preserved. The tenacious teen, who loves playing basketball, must undergo several weeks of outpatient therapy after his brush with death. But Dr. Garrett said John’s recovery remains like nothing he has ever seen: “It’s a bonafide miracle.”

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John O’Leary has lived through worse than most can imagine.

At the age of nine, John was severely burned on 100% of his body. No one expected him to survive the first night. But he did. He then survived months in a hospital bed, dozens of surgeries, and years of therapy. Before his tenth birthday, John lost all of his fingers to amputation.

This wasn’t the end. John’s journey was just beginning. From this tragedy, John received the greatest gift – embracing the truth that regardless of our personal and professional challenges, we choose how to.

As a boy in that hospital bed, John could not have foreseen the amazing things he would accomplish. But his journey proved more empowering and rewarding than he could have ever imagined. It gave him strength. It fueled and drove him on. It provided hope. It taught him compassion and understanding, and it gave him a solid foundation for living.

Some call John a survivor, but he is so much more than that. John O’Leary is a beacon of hope, and he’s ready to share his message with you.

John now lives to share his story and to spark the stories of others living boldly, so that together we can forge an extraordinary future by finding the possibility in the present.

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I am a retired, multiple award-winning United States Air Force fighter pilot.  I was the 125th F-15C Instructor at the Air Force Weapons School – the Air Force “TOP GUN” Program.  I commanded the 7th Fighter Squadron “Screamin’ Demons”, one of America’s only front-line operational F-22 squadrons.  I won multiple awards for flying excellence.  I was promoted to the rank of full-Colonel.  I have multiple advanced degrees and was repeatedly recognized for academic excellence.  I also spent my entire career leading high-performance teams to success.  This is the part of me that earned the callsign “Cujo”, the warrior that flew combat missions over the skies of Iraq.

I am also a devoted husband and father of five wonderful children.  Critically, I’m a cancer survivor whose cancer story was completely avoidable.  My family and I have dealt with and learned a lot on this particular journey — one whose challenges will unfortunately continue with me for the rest of my natural life.  The good news is that I’m 100% confident that I will thrive despite these challenges, and the BEST news is that I’m sharing what I’ve learned with others.  Truly, everything I’ve experienced in life has prepared me to help other people not repeat my mistakes.  This is the part of me that recognizes my fallibility, and wants to make the most of my experiences to-date.

The part that bridges the divide between both sides of me is what I call The Debrief-Focused Approach.  This is at its core the essence of Accountable Leadership – that which I learned to teach and apply as “Cujo,” but failed to use in my personal life.  I’m now bringing this approach to the business world by way of my soon-to-be-published book Debrief to Win, as well as through my powerful keynote by the same name.  I’m also working on the self-help version of the same story and will be looking to publish Debrief to Win in Life in 2019.  The keynote version of this talk has already garnered praise.  My emphasis in all my talks is to help people from all walks of life learn how to achieve dominance in their lives, making the most out of every minute they have on Earth.  I look forward to sharing my story with your organization soon!

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You don’t have to have a resident World Series Champion for your afternoon drive show, but it sure doesn’t hurt, and Brad Thompson fills the role nicely on 101ESPN’s The Fast Lane.

Named 2005 “Cardinals Rookie of the Year,” Brad went on to contribute to the club’s 2006 World Series Championship and called St. Louis his baseball home until 2009. In addition to bringing his unique insight as a former player to the 101ESPN lineup, he also acts as pre and postgame Cardinals analyst with Fox Sports Midwest.

Brad’s unique brand of humor and analysis can be heard alongside Randy Karraker and Chris Rongey weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on The Fast Lane.

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Elizabeth is the Managing Partner at Interior Investments of St. Louis, LLC, a full-service contract furniture distributor.  With 22 years of furniture experience, Elizabeth has developed the company into the second largest furniture and architectural products dealer in the St. Louis market supporting healthcare, corporate and institutional customers in create great places to work.

Elizabeth is an engaged member serving on the YPO Board as an Elected Director, a global community of 27,000+ chief executives committed to the shared mission of “Becoming Better Leaders through Lifelong Learning and Idea Exchange.” July 1, 2019 she will become the Global Chairman of YPO.  She also serves as the Secretary on the Board of Directors of Arch Grants, a local nonprofit that accelerates economic development by providing $50,000 equity-free grants to entrepreneurs who locate their early-stage businesses in St. Louis.

Elizabeth received her B.A. degree from Duke University.  In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys running, cycling, travelling all while trying to keep up with her three children.

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